A river hugging the coastline is now fading into memory. The ancient Kohelia River, once a lifeline, is nearly unrecognizable as silt and mud have filled its depths, halting almost all boat traffic. Trawler owners, salt farmers, fishermen, and shrimp traders are all bearing the brunt of this decline.
The once-mighty Koholia, known for its strong currents, is almost a dead river.
Bahadur, a resident, shared, “My home is right by the Kohelia River. Fishing has always been my only livelihood, but with the river filling up, it’s barely passable, and the riverbanks are shrinking.”
Due to murky and polluted waters, nearly 50 shrimp farms along the riverbanks are experiencing high fish mortality rates each monsoon. Each rainy season, farm operators suffer significant financial losses.
The lives of thousands of fishermen and various other workers, including those on motorized boats, salt laborers, and farmers, depend on this river. Without the Koholia, these communities face growing unemployment and hardship.
This river is essential to the survival of fishermen, shrimp farmers, and salt traders. Reviving the Kohelia means reviving an entire ecosystem of livelihoods and traditions that rely on its waters.
By Rajin Saleh
